Streamyx Wireless

Internet Talk Radio - The Tale of Its Evolution

Radios have been a source of entertainment since a long time now. Radio has been really powerful in the past, specially at the times when older folks used to sit in front of the old dial tune box radio getting carried away listening to some hit talk shows from the past. When it all started there were only AM channels and these channels mainly had talk shows and story-telling. There was music too, but not to the great extent as it happened later. With the introduction of the FM channels, music programs were shifted mainly to the FM-s while the talk shows and stories remained for the AM channels.

However, with the popularization of TV as an alternate media for entertainment, the power of AM and FM radio was greatly diminished. Due to its variety of channels, great options and greater appeals to the senses, TV had almost driven the once powerful radio out of business. Nonetheless, some still held on to the old radio. It was probably because they could get into a multi-tasking mode i.e. doing other things while still listening to their favorite radio programs. This was one thing that they could probably have not been able to do with TV. TV required them to sit in front of it and concentrate on the programs. But this small issue was too minor to stop the diminishing power and importance of radio as a primary source of entertainment. Soon, radio was a thing of the past.

Another major problem with the older radios was the frustrating loss of reception due to the device getting out of range. People had already got into the habit of carrying portable radios with them while they were outdoors. And often, they would be out of range causing them to probably miss the crucial conclusion of an interesting discussion or the climax of a story.

In a bid to revive the radio experience, satellite radios were introduced. These radios typically had several channels, often hundreds of them, dedicated to specialized programs. The model was more like that of a TV. It solved the out of range issue of the older generation radios. With satellite radio, one could be anywhere in the continent, listening to the same streaming everywhere. Its various channels were designed to cater to the interests of several individuals across diverse demographics. However, the main problem with satellite radio was its cost. In order to subscribe to satellite radio, a charge of almost twenty dollars or more was required.

The evolution of radio started showing its potential and reached a more apt state towards the early nineties when the internet talk radio was introduced. It was a new wave in the advancement of talk radio that hit the market with a bang. Internet talk radio provided a cheap and powerful alternative to the old AM radios. It required a computer, an internet connection, a phone, headsets and software to get started. Subscribing to the channels came completely free. The reach was now global, a lot more than the continental average of the satellite radios. And adding more to it was the easy option of creating a channel and participating. Being on the radio to reach out to the entire world became open. It was then possible for an avid listener of a talk show for years to easily host his own talk show and let the world know about his views.

With the introduction of internet talk radio, the evolution of radios has clearly attained maturity.

This article is written by Ronn Jones, a marketing expert with years of experience in branding and internet marketing. Check out more information on internet talk radio.

posted by streamyx-dsl1931 @ 11:45 PM 0 comments

Switching Broadband Providers

For millions of broadband users who may be tempted by a better deal from another provider, the fear has always been that of being stuck in an internet-less limbo? waiting until their new service is switched on.

Thankfully, changes to the way switches take place have dramatically improved the situation.

On 14 February 2007, Ofcom introduced a code of conduct for moving between broadband service providers called the MAC Code of Conduct.

If they wish to switch, broadband customers need a Migration Authorisation Code (MAC). The Migration Authorisation Code is a 17 to 19-digit unique identifier code consisting of both letters and numbers.

MACs usually begin with "BBIP", "FTIP", "BBDS", or "BBDP", and consist of 4 letters, 7 numbers (sometimes up to 9), a forward slash, 2 letters, 2 numbers, and 1 final letter.

Once requested, your internet provider should provide you the MAC code within 5 working days. This code will then be valid for 30 days in which the customer may switch broadband providers. While it should not take any longer than 10 working days to switch your broadband, there is no set limit imposed on broadband providers to switch you to a new provider and it can take up to 5 weeks.

Your internet service provider cannot refuse your request for a MAC code and must not charge you for the code either. This was introduced to help ease the process of switching your broadband and also allowing the switch to be done in just a few hours resulting in a temporary loss of internet.

The only exceptions for refusal are as follows:

?The account holder does not comply with standard checks by the ISP
?A contract is already terminated
?The MAC has already been requested
?The ISP has already submitted a cease request
?The ISP is unable to obtain a MAC from ISP whom customer is switching to

These rules were set by Ofcom, although, some broadband providers have been known to bend the rules just a little.

This has led some questions about whether some broadband service providers try and make it as difficult as possible for you to switch.

Even though broadband providers must comply with the rules, most providers will try to convince you to stay. They may question you about who you wish to move to and your reasons why and single out comparisons between themselves and their competitor in an attempt to hold on to you as a customer.

In some cases they may offer you something in return for your loyalty as a customer, for example a free upgrade to a higher level of service.

From your perspective, if you are satisfied with the level of service on offer from your existing provider, it always makes sense to listen to any offers that are made.

However, if you are determined to switch, you should so ?and the new MAC system should make it a lot easier to do so.

If you are interested in taking advantage of current broadband internet technology then you should compare many broadband providers available in your area.

posted by streamyx-dsl1931 @ 10:16 PM 0 comments

Switching Broadband Providers

For millions of broadband users who may be tempted by a better deal from another provider, the fear has always been that of being stuck in an internet-less limbo? waiting until their new service is switched on.

Thankfully, changes to the way switches take place have dramatically improved the situation.

On 14 February 2007, Ofcom introduced a code of conduct for moving between broadband service providers called the MAC Code of Conduct.

If they wish to switch, broadband customers need a Migration Authorisation Code (MAC). The Migration Authorisation Code is a 17 to 19-digit unique identifier code consisting of both letters and numbers.

MACs usually begin with "BBIP", "FTIP", "BBDS", or "BBDP", and consist of 4 letters, 7 numbers (sometimes up to 9), a forward slash, 2 letters, 2 numbers, and 1 final letter.

Once requested, your internet provider should provide you the MAC code within 5 working days. This code will then be valid for 30 days in which the customer may switch broadband providers. While it should not take any longer than 10 working days to switch your broadband, there is no set limit imposed on broadband providers to switch you to a new provider and it can take up to 5 weeks.

Your internet service provider cannot refuse your request for a MAC code and must not charge you for the code either. This was introduced to help ease the process of switching your broadband and also allowing the switch to be done in just a few hours resulting in a temporary loss of internet.

The only exceptions for refusal are as follows:

?The account holder does not comply with standard checks by the ISP
?A contract is already terminated
?The MAC has already been requested
?The ISP has already submitted a cease request
?The ISP is unable to obtain a MAC from ISP whom customer is switching to

These rules were set by Ofcom, although, some broadband providers have been known to bend the rules just a little.

This has led some questions about whether some broadband service providers try and make it as difficult as possible for you to switch.

Even though broadband providers must comply with the rules, most providers will try to convince you to stay. They may question you about who you wish to move to and your reasons why and single out comparisons between themselves and their competitor in an attempt to hold on to you as a customer.

In some cases they may offer you something in return for your loyalty as a customer, for example a free upgrade to a higher level of service.

From your perspective, if you are satisfied with the level of service on offer from your existing provider, it always makes sense to listen to any offers that are made.

However, if you are determined to switch, you should so ?and the new MAC system should make it a lot easier to do so.

If you are interested in taking advantage of current broadband internet technology then you should compare many broadband providers available in your area.

posted by streamyx-dsl1931 @ 3:04 AM 0 comments